Capetonians to protest busker's arrest

Cape Town - A protest against the forceful removal of blind busker Lunga Goodman Nono is set to take place on Wednesday at 13:00 at Greenmarket Square in Cape Town’s CBD.

Protesters have set up a Facebook page called “Buskers Protest”.

The Cape Times reported that outraged bystanders watched as metro police officers manhandled the well-known busker on Monday while removing him from his regular position on the pedestrian street, which is popular with tourists and city workers.

Nono, 51, is facing a R1 500 fine for contravening a by-law by busking outside his permitted time and refusing to stop. He was put in a police van and taken to a police station.

The officers also allegedly broke Nono’s guitar.

A crowd had gathered on Tuesday morning where Nono usually performed, and messages had been left for the musician reading “This is Nono’s Livelihood!” and “We Will Not Stand For Injustice”.

A member of the crowd, Richard Scott, told News24: “[Nono] doesn’t rob the people, he doesn’t sell drugs, he’s just playing his guitar and people give him money to survive, how can they beat him like that?”

Nono’s permit allows him to perform between 12:45 and 14:00 on weekdays, and 10:00 to midnight on Saturdays.

Another bystander, Heinrich Khana, told News24: “It’s very unfair to a guy who can’t help himself, they broke his guitar, I don’t think it’s right.”

Comments

Mlungisi Kunene - 2013-07-10 08:39

I condemn the abuse on this 'noble' man.. this will only perpetrate hatred in that society with grave consequencies.

Jean Tredoux - 2013-07-10 08:51

You take your time to protest for someone who was busking outside his permitted time and did not want to stop playing which is breaking the law but you shrug your shoulders against people throwing their sh** around your city, rape, over 40 murder last weekend?! I mean come one Cape Town get your priorities right!!!

Darryl Maze - 2013-07-10 08:58

@Hendrik, this is not typical DA move. The police are run by the corrput ANC government. It's the ANC's fault for giving thugs jobs in the police force.

Poloyatonki Kgosi - 2013-07-10 09:11

I am not joining the protest, I heard that the guy is not even a south african. His name is a fake.

CommonSense - 2013-07-10 09:13

Why does nobody protest against Zuma? The guys is steeling millions and denying a better life for all. Shouldn't we be looking at the busking laws rather?

GayAtheistEffUN24 - 2013-07-10 09:14

So he gets manhandled, his property destroyed and must pay a fine, for this petty, victimless crime?
Seems these police/metro cops like to pay attention to these crimes, but the ones that matter aren't given priority. They would rather arrest this guy, or some tannie that grows her own weed. Pathetic.

Hendrik Botha - 2013-07-10 09:51

@Darryl, metro police are employed by the city if CT, and the bylaw implemented by the city of CT, so everything you said just replace ANC with DA

Adrien McGuire - 2013-07-10 10:06

This is a story of many parts, many I have taken from other posts, so I can't claim them as mine !
1) Was the man breaking the law? Yes he was and therefore he should have been moved on. We cannot be selective about the law when it suits us !
2) Was it necessary to break his guitar? Absolutely not ! The Police are heavy handed when it is not necessary.
3) Is a protest a good thing ? Absolutely ! We need to keep the excesses of the police in check .
But then, why are so many people prepared to protest over this incident, when we as country allow really big things to go down and we do nothing about it. Let me list a few for you.
a) Eskom failure to deliver on deadlines and their executives rake in massive bonuses without accountability. We the consumer will have to pay increased rates for this !
b)Nkandla. I have not seen a single protest about this pillaging of taxpayers money.
c) The Minister of Education, Where are the protests after she escaped the axe in yesterdays cabinet reshuffle. She is undermining the future of this country.
I could go on, but I think I have made my point. We get behind issues like the busker, an animal being mistreated etc but somehow we allow the big things to pass us by. Are they so big that we don't know where to start or do we just bury our head in the sand?

Mlungisi Botha - 2013-07-10 10:17

@Missmizz Sabath: I've got a better idea - he should go to sleep and not wake up at all!!

Chris Du Toit - 2013-07-10 11:09

Alicialouise, who said the police punched him? I didn't see a single blow being thrown. The man resisted arrest and became aggresive and abusive after police indentified themselves, police had no other option but to briskly walk the man away after being harrased and mobbed by onlookers and family members of the man. Its not the polices job to stick around and negotiate with bystanders. His guitar broke, who said it was deliberatly done by police? Perhaps he did himself in a childish fit... I saw it! Perhaps if people showed more respect towards police doing their job they wont have to resort to aggresive tactics.

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 11:13

Wrong darryl. Metro cops arrested him. They are controlled by the DA. Thanks. But its typical of them. Always looking for the easy wins. Yet ask them to arrest a drug dealer then they are no where to be seen and its all the anc's fault. Or recenctly its the communities fault.

Sycotic - 2013-07-10 12:34

@Hendrik Botha - You're clearly stupid with all the crap dribbling from your assumptions that this was a political move in any way. You're another that shouldn't be breeding.
I salute the community on taking up arms and pursuing those animals we call the police. And to Busker I look forward to hearing your music online.

Jacqui Daane Van Rensburg - 2013-07-10 12:36

Hendrik Botha, Police are the responsibility of the ANC. Just shows how little you know.

Louis Leendertz - 2013-07-10 08:42

This is a disgrace. No Cape Town. I do not know you like this.

GayAtheistEffUN24 - 2013-07-10 09:18

Not CT, certain morons that live in CT

Motshwane Sefiri - 2013-07-10 08:44

That's pure racism, and de funny part is dat it's him own black ppl dat treated him lik dat....!stupid police......an besides cape town hs more racists dan Transvaal....!Cape Town is another country in South Africa,,....... it is anti black....! It's a fact...!hence it has less black millionares dan any province.....!

Feik Mc Heither - 2013-07-10 08:59

Really?

Jameson Walker - 2013-07-10 09:00

Always someone has to pull the racism card, you're running out of race cards.

Darryl Maze - 2013-07-10 09:02

Oh Motshwane shut up. You are so brainwashed from your corrupt ANC. It is because WC is the best run province in SA that your idiot government will say anything to try win the WC back even trying to say we are the racist province. Do you live in Cape Town????? If not then shut up!!

Ari Potah - 2013-07-10 09:04

Oh Deary Dear! O deary, deary, dear.

GayAtheistEffUN24 - 2013-07-10 09:22

Please provide empirical evidence for these claims...
otherwise you are just another conspiracy theorist

Your statement is contradicting, hows it racist when his its their own color????

Sanette Van Niekerk Smit - 2013-07-10 11:16

Go to "Transvaal"!!

Lindy Jeffery - 2013-07-10 08:46

Absolutely shocking! What harm was he doing!!! Surely there are more important things to attend to.....leave this poor, innocent man alone!!!

Robert Sidney - 2013-07-10 11:26

And how the heck is the man supposed to play for less than two hours and still expected to make a living?

Carmen Muller - 2013-07-10 08:49

I saw this article in the newspaper yesterday, it broke my heart. How can you do something so heartless to a defenseless old and BLIND man who's trying to make a living in a non-illegal way?! These cops should start doing their jobs properly and chase after the real criminals!!

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 09:16

good people break bad laws, his permit allows him to play there for two hours in the week, it probably takes him atleast four hours of a round trip to get there, the high court has now extended his playing time from 10 to 4 which supports the view that the initial timeslots was inappropriate.

Annette Kruger - 2013-07-10 09:55

@Maka, ok we get it, he broke the law by playing his freakin guitar a little bit longer. That's why 7 officers had to drag him, treat him poorly and break his guitar. Really now!!

Matthew - 2013-07-10 08:49

A protest?
Oh Ffs People,really?! yes what happened was an outrage,but its being addressed. he's got legal representation (paid for,by bystander) and a new guitar,and many offers, plus a guitar from a celebrity. It was all caught on camera ,so WE KNOW, okay. Everyone knows. Just calm down now.

Remozami - 2013-07-10 08:56

oooohhh... So.. He has been compensated..and a celebrity used his disadvantage for some publicity And everybody heard about it. ..and now everybody shoould just..you know..shut up. No public show of disapproval... so next time..there will be another celebrity giving a guitar and a bystander giving assistance.. Good for them, but thats a bit of a screwed up way of dealing with injustice.

Joe Marshe - 2013-07-10 10:10

You know South Africans. They want to protest for any damn thing.

letsallbefriendsdammit - 2013-07-10 11:28

Remozami, yes I get your point.. But come on. Why aren't Cape Towners protesting against other things, the crap throwers, the 40 murders in a weekend, the water quality etc.. Like I get the protest, and I was as shocked by the story.. but the protest will do what? Change busking times? Nice. I agree that it was horrible, but he's been helped in many ways, and will continue to get help (which is awesome) but a protest is just silly.. There are WAY bigger things we should be protesting about

Sheilan Clarke - 2013-07-10 08:57

That FB page doesn't exist. :/

Jonathan Farrell - 2013-07-10 09:11

Its called Buskers Peaceful Protest, News24 got it wrong it seems https://www.facebook.com/events/191092251055419/

Sheilan - 2013-07-10 09:47

Thanks, jfarway1.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 09:03

Yup, and the bleeding heart liberals all jump on the bandwagon.
1. There are laws for a REASON
2. The council had received several complaints for TAXPAYING businesses in the area
3. Nono had received SEVERAL warnings over the preceding months and CHOSE to ignore them
4. Nono RESISTED arrest.
I watched the video, I did not see the cops assault him.
Do I think the more empathy could have been employed, and that after the first few warnings Nono had a responsibility to have his permitted times extended.
But the crux of the matter is:
1. When did the "right" of Nono to break the law supersede the rights of the TAXPAYING businesses who complained?
2. Why did Nono ignore SEVERAL warnings without at least trying to have his permitted busking times extended?
3. Which of you bleeding heart liberals think the SAPS/Metro should SELECTIVELY apply the law, depending on their mood on the day?
4. Who else thinks the entitlement attitude of Nono resulted on action against him?
Now, what I would like to see happen.
Someone for the council arranges a meeting with the complaining business owners and Nono, they hash out the issues, they extend the hours of the permit with everyones agreement, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 09:18

good people break bad laws, his permit allows him to play there for two hours in the week, it probably takes him atleast four hours of a round trip to get there, the high court has now extended his playing time from 10 to 4 which supports the view that the initial timeslots was inappropriate.

CommonSense - 2013-07-10 09:22

Totally agree. If we had to apply empathy to every person in a difficult situation or choose when to apply the law this country would be in even more chaos. Everyone has already made up their mind because they saw "blind", "police man-handling" and "broken guitar". They have no idea what lead to the incident or bothered to watch the video.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 09:38

Hi Goldie,
I'm glad his time was extended by the courts. Did someone (like Nono himself) take that instruction to the permit issuing authority to have the permit amended or did the courts ensure this was done?
Most of our biggest complaints are around a dysfunctional system (be it service delivery, governance, or justice). My point then is why should we be complaining we have certain authorities trying to make the system functional.
If it is found that the city bureaucracy failed, and that his permit should have been extended, but was not through their failure, I'll happily jump on the bandwagon as well.
If the system worked, and Nono or the courts failed to do their part, my point stands.
P.S. I might add that I personally feel that there is far, FAR too much red tape in South Africa. It is a hindrance to our growth, but only WE, the voters, can change that by being far more vocal.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 09:44

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/blind-busker-in-cop-attack-has-last-laugh-1.1544555
that is my reference pws69 about the high court extending his time after this incident.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 09:52

Hi Goldie,
I'd already read that he got the court order, but it doesn't say when he got it.

Stanton Clarke - 2013-07-10 09:53

Thank you for putting things so nicey into perspective. I think most of the sympathises here smoked dagga before commenting on this story.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:02

@Missmizz, I gave you a thumbs up for that comment, as you will get no argument from me in that regard, but I did state "should" in my comment, not does.
I, as I suspect most, just want the system to work as it SHOULD, as the problem is currently around how it does work.
In this situation it seems that it was working as it should, hence my comment.
Is it failing elsewhere, as pointed out by so many other comments? Absolutely, and that makes me angrier than you can believe.
I actually hope the street protest today is massive, for the simple reason that it shows that apathy is slowly giving way to activism.
An activist populace is one that ensures good governance. Enough of a show of force, and we will see improvements all round (drugs, taxis, etc)

Alcide Herveaux - 2013-07-10 10:05

I am liberal, but I agree with your points. Don't assume all liberals think the same way :-)

Hehe PWS. I am also no bleeding heart... ;-) Seems some people had bleeding ears, hence the complaints. Greenmarket square is a public area, where business activities are regulated for very specific reasons. Don't know why people don't get that Nono is not really the victim here..

Remozami - 2013-07-10 09:08

yes, he broke the law in several ways..aparently. But does that give the police the right to damage his property? What good does that do? Not as if the police has a reputation to uphold though. . . . Maybe next time when you get a fine from the metro police..watch out, they might burn you car. . (tongue in the cheeck) . .

pws69 - 2013-07-10 09:12

Remozami, on this point I totally agree with you, with 7 cops on site, there is no reason for any property to have been damaged.

CommonSense - 2013-07-10 09:27

Umm, maybe that was by accident? He resisted arrest so it's quite plausible that the guitar got broken the scuffle - just a thought!

Jacqui Daane Van Rensburg - 2013-07-10 12:47

Common Sense. He resisted arrest. He is blind, don't understand much English and a bit bewildered by life. when I asked him who is looking after his money, he couldn't answer me. Luckily the lady running the stall where he is, did tell me that she looks out for him and his money. Being suddenly surrounded by seven policemen, grabbing him and his guitar would have been reason enough for him to resist. He doesn't have a clue about time or how long he has been busy and the whole matter could have been handled in a civilized manner.It wasn't

Jaco Nel - 2013-07-10 09:09

Sounds like his arrest might be the best thing that happened to him. He’ll be getting a lot of money from good Samaritans now. At least for a while.

Na-aem Williams - 2013-07-10 09:10

This goes to Mike Bunddy on yesterdays comment, maybe you are the fool here , it's seems like those cops was looking for work.Don't behave like an uneducated individual .

Stef Terblanche - 2013-07-10 09:32

This is what you can expect from the DA and its publicity hungry politicians like JP Smith (in charge of Metro Police). How can this man earn a living if he is allowed to play only for 1hr 15min each day? Like some super Gestapo the DA wants to over regulate everything from what you may consume on the beach, to liquor trading hours, to the length of time a dog is allowed to bark (another smart move by Smith), to how long these street musicians may play and where, and so on. Can the Metro Police not keep busy with more important things like illegal, speeding, overloaded taxis that regularly cost lives, or drug lords operating from municipal flats and houses, for instance?

Stef Terblanche. Or do something about the beggars and the children who are suppose to be in school and instead make a damn nuisance of themselves in the Gardens. I get really angry with them when they chase the squirrels and ask for money.

Javed Choglè - 2013-07-10 09:36

As usual signs of DA government .

Rainer Christian Mücke - 2013-07-10 09:37

Seriously? We have people who murder, rape, and whatever other violent crime imaginable walking around outside of jails, making South Africa an unsafe environment, but the cops have to assault this man who tries to make a proper and honest living... Seriously?

Martin Williams - 2013-07-10 09:39

Don't we just ? the DA. Thumbs up if you do, Thumbs down if you don't.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 09:47

I'll give you 100 thumbs up for your avatar.

Ronald Kasasa - 2013-07-10 09:40

very stupid to protest , collect all the money you gonna use and give the busker (all transport and put on his account)
than making noise for the city

coswecanfly - 2013-07-10 09:42

You guys aren't going to like this but I feel it's my civic duty to speak my mind. I saw the video. I saw no brutality or abuse. All I saw was the police removing a man that did not listen to many previous warnings. A man breaking the law. Laws and rules are needed to run a country. If you do not obey them you are no better than a thief or a murderer. There are no 'lesser' crimes. A crime is a crime if it's running an amber light or killing someone, it's against the law. Yes they used seven officers to remove him but if it was only one officer, he would have had to use a lot more force to remove a struggling person. What happened to respecting the law and respecting police officers? Everyone complains about how 'bad' they are until you need them. I don't want to get political but I will venture into the state of our country for a brief moment. The ANC thought it was easy to run a country and disobeyed all laws and rules and look where it got them. Corruption and crime is running rampant. I'm not saying the DA is perfect (no political party is) but at least things are working a bit better here in the Western Cape. And don't fool yourselves by thinking that it's because of you. It's because we have rules and they get enforced. Once again, go and watch that video with an open mind and once you see the police removing someone that broke the law you will see that there was no brutality. Just my 2 cents.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 10:02

apartheid was law as well, so following your logic you supported apartheid and you just showed us what a racist you indeed are. So continue to follow laws blindly (pun intended).

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:07

So Goldie, what is your solution? No laws.
I guess you would last about a day if that happened.

Stefan Van Der Spuy - 2013-07-10 10:10

What law was broken? Playing guitar in public? I don't think there's a law against that.

pws69, so you also supported apartheid then. I'm highlighting the point that bad laws are broken by good people. This blind person has highlighted this point and the bad people have highlighted that they supported apartheid, since it too was law.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:31

Goldie, I fail to see how my support of a by law regulating a public space means I supported Apartheid.
More importantly, what gives YOU the right to decide that the rights of Nono supersede the rights of taxpaying, law abiding business owners?
Because you say so?
I'm actually quite offended by your complete lack of logic. You don't even make an effort to support your argument.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 10:47

be offended, make a video and post it on youtube and see if anyone cares

LizK - 2013-07-10 11:48

Coswecanfly and pws69 - thanks guys, it seems you are the most logical and level-headed regarding this incident.
I agree that 7 cops for one blind man is excessive force, and I also agree that breaking his guitar (IF that was on purpose) is unfair and ridiculous. But I can't help but feel that there is more to this story. As some users here have mentioned, apparently he had ignored several warnings and so store owners complained; IF this is true, then it makes more sense to me. Perhaps the tax-paying store owners were losing out on business because of him breaking the law, then the police have every right to remove him. Again, these are all "IFs" because I'm trying to highlight the point that we don't know the full story - a 10 second clip gives no context to before and after.
Goldie, I support this bylaw as well, but if your twisted logic want to turn that into 'you are a racist who supported apartheid' then that will have to be YOUR problem, not mine. There is absolutely no way that you can compare a bylaw which designates times for people to sing on the street, with degrading and immoral laws which trampled on human rights, tore families apart, unfairly jailed people for years and years(and "allowed" them to die in prison), gave them substandard education, groomed them for a lesser life, and practically enforced slave labour.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 12:14

by the way he didn't break any laws, it is only alleged he broke laws- the facts have yet to be tested. But I'm glad you consider yourself the judge the jury and executioner. by the way the high court didn't seem to have a problem with his busking, but you are clearly more of an authority than the high court

LizK - 2013-07-10 13:05

Did I not use the words "if" and "apparently" enough to make it clear that I do not have all the facts?
I fail to see what it is in my comment that makes you think I consider myself to be judge, jury and executioner when in no way did I judge Nono, and I certainly was not advocating for him to be thrown in jail for 20 years. It seems your disdain for people who hold differing opinions to you is tainting your logic, as it is in fact YOU who is judging anyone and everyone who believes that relevant laws should be followed.
Calling people racists and accusing them of supporting Apartheid seems a bit more blindly judgemental to me than other comments made here.

Goldie Saturnz - 2013-07-10 14:05

@lizK, I was replying to coswecanfly but I suppose you thinking I was responding to you probably highlights how much you think of yourself.

LizK - 2013-07-10 15:16

Yep, you caught me. Me and my big head.

Israel Levi - 2013-07-10 09:45

F... the police

Pieter Mynhardt - 2013-07-10 10:19

and who you gonna call when they busy robbing/ mugging/ raping / assaulting you ?

GayAtheistEffUN24 - 2013-07-10 10:24

They don't do much anyway. A friends mother got robbed 3 times in the same week, same people. Police did nothing.

David Jacobs - 2013-07-10 09:48

I really dunno ,why they (police) did this to a blind person.Arrest him,fine him,break his guitar.No wonder the police get so much flak from communities.Their action really sucks

Marlene De Wet - 2013-07-10 09:49

a protest seriously? when are people going to stop blaming metro police for this? don't you know the difference between metro police, law enforcement officers and saps by now ? the way he treated was wrong, but laws are laws...if he is allowed to do this, then what is the point of the laws? then everyone can just do what and when they want in our city and then who are we going to blame then?

Stanton Clarke - 2013-07-10 09:50

The man was warned severall times to abide by his permitted time slot. Does the word WARNING not mean anything anymore? Next time I break a by law and the police deals with me then I also want Capetonians to protest against it.

Stefan Van Der Spuy - 2013-07-10 10:12

So who allocates these time slots? That's crap. Next you'll get a time slot to go and do your shopping!

Claudette Blankenberg - 2013-07-10 10:48

You wish!!

Deon Louw - 2013-07-10 11:44

I agree with Stanton. How many people will protest if your local shop starts selling wine on Sundays? It was also stupid to argue with 7 policemen.

Alcide Herveaux - 2013-07-10 10:02

Has the world gone insane? This reminds me way too much of the Pistorians who defend that former Olympian with all their might. This guy broke a law, were warned and were escorted to a Police van. He was not really manhandled, and it seems from the video footage that he resisted the arrest. We complain in SA that the law is not enforced. Thank you to the city of Cape Town for taking action. And really, the protesters and those offering a guy a record deal. Really? Maybe I should break a bylaw and throw a fit while getting arrested. Will I become famous? I feel sorry for the guy, but this is really turning into a bit of a joke.

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 11:08

Typical of metro police. They go after soft targets. Why dont they clean up the real crimes. Wow comparing murder to playing an instrument. They clearly the same thing.

Christina De Carvalho - 2013-07-10 10:03

hes blind. Maybe he didnt know the time?

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:06

His wife and daughter, who were both with him, are not blind.

Poloyatonki Kgosi - 2013-07-10 10:07

ok.. I am sure he doesnt knows what time to wake up in the morning or the last train home.

Stefan Van Der Spuy - 2013-07-10 10:06

Who has the authority to decide what times he can play his guitar? Is "the man on the street" told when he can do what? If I decide to stand on a street corner for the whole day minding my own business that's my democratic right.
Something seriously wrong here. The busker should be able to sue the police, surely!

Alcide - 2013-07-10 10:15

So Stefan, you say that there should be no laws, governing behaviour in public spaces?. People can drink in the streets, the whole day, smoke weed, play their instruments everywhere, beg at traffic lights..? Worldwide there are laws governing the use of public spaces. But seems like in SA, we just hate them laws. So then we should stop complaining if we become the targets of crime.

Deon Louw - 2013-07-10 12:19

Ha Ha Stefan, standing on a corner for the whole day is suspicious, many people will phone the Police on you.

Alcide Herveaux - 2013-07-10 10:07

And to those saying he is innocent and this is a "victimless" crime. BS! Businesses especially restaurants in the area do suffer. I refuse to go to places where I get harassed by buskers and forcing their music onto my ears.

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 10:13

Thats the best city in SA,I wonder how is it gonna be if and when they can take control of all cities in SA,blind and disabled people are gonna be beaten up and harassed at any given time,big ups DA you have outdone yourselves on this one!!!

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:18

As opposed to this, hey Karabo?
The Johannesburg Housing Company needs to give clear answers about the reasons for the mid-winter evictions of 2000 people from the Newtown Urban Village in inner city Johannesburg.
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=389921&sn=Detail&pid=71616

Alcide - 2013-07-10 10:18

Karabo, the vendors and foreigners get beaten up in Johannesburg and Tshwane all the time. They are also forced to pay bribes, I have seen this with my own eyes. I honestly suspect the only reason why this has been made into such an issue, is to make the DA look bad. Come to Joburg and Tshwane, and you will see this daily.

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 11:06

Hahaha. News24 trying to make the DA look bad really? This is a pro DA site.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:13

Not News24 Jeffrey you tool! The ones protesting. N24 is just recycling the article and video, the report was originally published in the Cape Times.

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 11:40

Lol people are so quick to label others dumb and they dont even see the irony of their comment. I dont even have the energy to explain the irony.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:44

I did not say you are dumb, I said you are a tool!

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 13:29

Eish now I need to teach you what tool means as well??

Errol Rudman - 2013-07-10 10:13

These metro police "officers" lack the IQ to make it into the private sector let alone the police force. We then give them a badge and a firearm and expect them to protect us? The metro "police force" is nothing but a police farce! I have zero respect for these fools!

Jeffery Stokes - 2013-07-10 11:04

You can thank the DA. They control municipalities. But im sure somewhere along the line. Someone will blame this on the ANC. Apparently incompetence is not part of anything the DA does.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 10:31

To Busk is to run a small business. (Earning money). Do you really think that Nono will appreciate it if the City of Cape Town, scraps all the by-laws and open the Floodgates to every blind and deaf busker, dancer and mimic artists in the country? What will happen to his business if it was not regulated? He must thank the city for allowing him to play there, and for having strict regulations as to who plays when and how many people are allowed to play/entertain at a given time. Maybe the police were slightly out of order, but for me the bylaws actually protects the likes of Nono.

pws69 - 2013-07-10 10:35

Exactly, and what a lot of people fail to realise is that cities like London and New York have the same laws wrt busking.

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 10:41

As much as one can try to justify his/her point without any success,this was a wrong move and the world have seen how disabled people are treated in Cape Town by-laws or no by-laws this not 'Ubuntu' and its not how people with disabilities are suppose to be treated,maybe in your Western culture you treat disabled people like that.The best run city run by heartless people can only do that.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 10:46

Karabo, it has nothing to do with Western Culture. I have seen cripple people being beaten up in Johannesburg for begging at traffic lights. It horrified me. This guy was not beaten up, it does not even compare to the level of violence we witness in GP at times aimed at the poor and the illegals.

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 10:59

@Alcide here we talking about circumstantial evidence not your unproven hearsays,I've seen the blind man's video and give me something substantial.I wonder if that guy was white would he have been treated like that!!!

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:02

I don't think the colour or disability of a person should be taken into consideration when breaking the law. Here is some police brutality for you in GP. Note the victim actually died in this case. http://www.lhr.org.za/news/2013/press-statement-lhr-condemns-alleged-police-brutality-following-taxi-drivers-death-daveyto

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:06

Here is some video footage for you to watch Karabo, now compare it to Nono's slightly rough arrest... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aikwhsk1HZE

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb0uX6JQusI More brutality in Johannesburg!

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:09

And since you really want to bring in colour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VFtfr54KmI

Hendriek Woede - 2013-07-10 11:05

Corrupt ANC run the Cape Town City Police!!!!??????

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 11:11

@Alcide I think we not on the same page here I'm talking about a disabled person not that Mozambiquen guy who fought with the police when being arrested,the very same guy who killed 4 pre-school kids and injuring a dozen others with a minibus taxi negligently two days before his unfortunate day.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:17

Karabo, so in the spirit of Ubuntu, you condone the behaviour of the police towards the Mozambiquen?

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 11:28

@Alcide I don't condone the behaviour of police on both incident but I was just showing you the difference between this two character victims.

Alcide - 2013-07-10 11:32

Karabo, I am not unsympathetic towards this guy though. I just feel that the bylaw does in fact protect Nono, so he should respect the law. Cant argue any further, need to work.

Karabo Phetoane - 2013-07-10 11:40

Argument closed that was wrong and fingers need to be pointed towards those who are in charge of the City and the HRC must also intervene.

Jacqui Daane Van Rensburg - 2013-07-10 12:34

Great, I'll go join them on Facebook.

Dylan Ford - 2013-07-10 13:57

There seem to be some comments here (from the likes of Maka Drama) that confuse contravening a by-law and committing a criminal act. If all by-laws where strictly inforced as they where in this case you would struggle to find a single person that hasn't been man handled by law enforcement and fined. What Mr. Nono did is equivalent to hanging your washing in view of the public or triming the tree on the pavement outside your house. The behaviour of law enforcement in this situation is disgusting, plain and simple.